Inverness CT 6-1 Gretna

May 4 2008 Alasdair Fraser At Caledonian Stadium

CALEY THISTLE devoured poor Gretna - but caretaker Mick Wadsworth could never claim his players lacked hunger. The crisis club's finances are so dire they were forced to eat cold lasagne on the 300-mile trip north.

There was no luxurious overnight stay for the visiting side with a middle-of-the-night rise before Caley hammered their record SPL score past poor keeper Greg Fleming.

Inverness were superb but Wadsworth served up an insight to the depth of their struggles.

The shellshocked Englishman groaned: "The preparations were not the best to say the least.

"Most of our players were up at all hours, coming from England and the like, to get to the ground by 7am.

"And we didn't really eat on the way up. The microwave on the team bus was broken so all we had was cold lasagne.

"But I don't want to dwell on excuses as Caley Thistle were excellent and we were poor.

"The first goal was scandalous - three yards offside - but they scored five more.

"It has been a bad week as we've lost more players but I can't criticise the lads too much.

"They have to do better in the last two games though because there are a lot of clubs watching and a few have offers."

The six goals all came from different scorers and there were several outstanding displays. Arguably the best were contract-chasing Barry Wilson and Don Cowie who scored his ninth goal from midfield in his SPL debut season.

And Wilson became the joint second highest scorer in the Highlanders' history after a fantastic second-half strike. The opening blow arrived in just 31 seconds. Ross Tokely sent Cowie clear on the right and he swept a perfect low ball into Doug Imrie who shot past Fleming.

Young Rory McAllister claimed No.2 in 23 minutes, bundling the ball home from close range after Fleming had brilliantly saved a Marius Niculae header.

Gretna clawed one back against the run of play three minutes later with Brendan McGill's free-kick from the left finding Steven Hughes poorly marked to head past Zibi Malkowski. The bottom dogs did well for a spell but Wilson lit up the second half with an unstoppable third for Caley in 51 minutes.

Taking McAllister's lay-off on the right hand edge of the box, the veteran unleashed a low, swerving shot that flew beyond the diving keeper. Gretna were in disarray and Inverness' fourth came from the best move of the game in 69 minutes.

Sub Graham Bayne slipped Imrie free before his chipped cross was caught sweetly on the half volley byCowie 12 yards out.

Salt was rubbed in the away team's wounds late on with two more goals.

First, from Iain Vigurs' corner Tokely executed a near-post header in 88 minutes.

Then young Vigurs netted a superb angled volley after Tokely fed Roy McBain for a cutback.

Delighted Caley boss Craig Brewster said: "We had a tremendous start with two good goals then got a little bit sloppy.

"But I asked the players to stay positive and it was pleasing to finish with two young lads scoring.

"Wilson again did himself no harm and he has real talent."

MATCH STATS

8 SHOTS ON 1

7 SHOTS OFF 2

5 OFFSIDE 3

9 FOULS 9

4 CORNERS 5

1 BOOKINGS 1

REF WATCH

IAIN BRINES took charge of the game with complete authority and made hardly any mistakes. Also kept the play flowing. Rating: 6/10.